Northwest Fire District just took delivery of a new rescue that is designed to reduce injuries to firefighters. The new rescue has the traditional safety equipment found on most new vehicles on the road today, but the injury prevention takes place when the vehicle is in park. This new vehicle and its equipment will be a back saver.
Recent studies have shown that many back injuries are not from a single occurrence but from repetitive mini-injuries that add up to a serious career ending back injury. With over 80% of our 911 calls medically based in addition to 25% of Arizonans being considered obese (by body mass index standards), we do a lot of lifting.
NWFD will now be purchasing hydraulic cots that have the ability to lift a 700 pound patient with the push of a button and one or two people acting as safety spotters, not lifting. The hydraulic mechanism will save the backs of fire & EMS workers from the repetitive motion injuries that can lead to painful and debilitating injuries. In addition to the hydraulic cot, the back of the rescue “kneels” down to reduce the height of the patient compartment for patient loading. Together these make a great one-two punch in an effort to reduce the number of injuries and early retirements in fire and EMS service.
There is a belief that these back saving features cost more, and they do. However, the additional cost is almost nothing compared to the medical treatment and/or retirement for a back injury.
Recent studies have shown that many back injuries are not from a single occurrence but from repetitive mini-injuries that add up to a serious career ending back injury. With over 80% of our 911 calls medically based in addition to 25% of Arizonans being considered obese (by body mass index standards), we do a lot of lifting.
NWFD will now be purchasing hydraulic cots that have the ability to lift a 700 pound patient with the push of a button and one or two people acting as safety spotters, not lifting. The hydraulic mechanism will save the backs of fire & EMS workers from the repetitive motion injuries that can lead to painful and debilitating injuries. In addition to the hydraulic cot, the back of the rescue “kneels” down to reduce the height of the patient compartment for patient loading. Together these make a great one-two punch in an effort to reduce the number of injuries and early retirements in fire and EMS service.
There is a belief that these back saving features cost more, and they do. However, the additional cost is almost nothing compared to the medical treatment and/or retirement for a back injury.
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